At Cardinal Expo, we’ve provided end-to-end trade show services and exhibit management for customers at WEFTEC for years. We’ll explain how you can design, ship, and staff a trade show booth successfully for this event.

Table of Contents:

• What Makes a Trade Show Booth Succeed at the WEFTEC Conference?
• Advice for Staff Working the 2024 WEFTEC Floor
• How to Ship to the WEFTEC Conference and Exhibition
• Frequently Asked Questions About WEFTEC 2024
• Contact Cardinal for Help Exhibiting at WEFTEC

What Makes a Trade Show Booth Succeed at the WEFTEC Conference?

Stand out from the crowd at WEFTEC 2024 by creating a captivating, engaging, and interactive booth. A successful trade show booth is characterized by several key elements that work together to effectively attract WEFTEC attendees, keep their interest, and drive them toward an intended action.

Eye-Catching Elements 

In order to initially draw visitors in, you’ll need to have a visually appealing booth design. At the WEFTEC conference, attendees respond best to:

• Water-related imagery
• Larger than life technology displays
• Clean, polished aesthetics

To help create a memorable impression, be sure to incorporate branded elements, vibrant graphics, and creative displays in your exhibit. For more tips, read our blog post, “How to Make Your Trade Show Booth Stand Out.”

Live Demonstrations

One of the main things WEFTEC attendees are looking for is to understand innovative products, services, and technologies on the market today. Your booth should help explain what you have to offer. For example, if you provide solutions for disinfecting or purifying water, show the process behind how you clean water. Consider having a model or demo unit to show the processes of your product so that people have a clear visual explanation.

With live demonstrations, you can give visitors a sense of exactly how your products or features work by showing them in real time. Answer questions and walk attendees through any specifics they’d like to see. Not only does this get them engaged, but it also does the important work of educating them about your offerings in a personalized, compelling way.

If live demonstrations aren’t possible, videos or multimedia presentations can serve the same purpose. To make these presentations more engaging, look for ways to make them interactive for attendees. You should also have booth staff on hand to answer any questions that visitors may have.

Intentional Layout 

Effective booth layout and signage that clearly communicate your company’s products and services are essential in facilitating fruitful interactions with visitors.

• Looking to attract passersby? Put attention-grabbing graphics, signage, videos, product models, or demo units front and center at a height that can be seen from a distance.
• Want to drive foot traffic to a particular area of your booth? Make sure you have a clear footpath that encourages people to move toward that area.
• Need a place to sit that still encourages conversation? Get chairs that are at bar height so visitors who are seated can still talk to staff who are walking throughout the exhibit.

Advice for Staff Working the 2024 WEFTEC Floor 

Strategic planning and effective communication are key to successfully working the show floor. Maximize your presence and impact at the 2024 WEFTEC trade show with staff who are well-prepared.

Know Your Offerings

Show floor staff should know your products and services inside and out. The audience at WEFTEC is interested in getting into the nitty gritty about your offerings. Be able to perform product demonstrations, explain the technology behind your solutions, and answer questions from informed consumers.

For some exhibitors, it can be helpful to include a mix of for-hire professionals and your own subject matter experts. Although anyone you hire should gain an understanding of your products and services, they won’t be able to go into as much depth as your own employees. But these hired staff specialize in working expos, allowing them to more effectively draw in potential customers. Your own experts can be on hand to answer any specific questions that visitors may have when needed, giving you the best of both worlds.

Prepare Your Booth 

Staff should double check that they have all necessary booth materials and resources ready for the event. This includes:

• Brochures and literature
• Product samples
• Demo units
• Presentation equipment
• Giveaways

Network Effectively 

Well-trained booth staff who are enthusiastic, outgoing, and approachable play a crucial role in driving booth success. Be prepared to answer questions and network by knowing the ins and outs of your product and company. Come with business cards and educational pamphlets or giveaways.

Depending on your goals, staff members can also actively network with other businesses and professionals within your industry. This fosters relationships that can lead to collaborations or partnerships in the future.

Follow-up is essential for sustaining momentum post-event. Exhibitors should follow up with leads promptly. Provide additional information, schedule meetings, or offer special promotions to maintain interest and convert prospects into customers.

How to Ship to the WEFTEC Conference and Exhibition 

Determining a shipping method for the WEFTEC Conference 2024 will impact the success and efficiency of your exhibit. Selecting the appropriate shipping method involves considering factors such as transit time, tracking capabilities, insurance coverage, and budget constraints.

Whether opting to ship to an advance warehouse or directly to the event, careful evaluation and planning are essential to ensure that exhibit items arrive safely and on schedule. Ultimately, the right shipping method enables exhibitors to maximize the impact of their presence at the show by ensuring that their booth materials are delivered efficiently.

Shipping to an Advance Warehouse 

Ship early to stay ahead of the curve. Advance warehouses are located near the venue, and they typically open 25 days before the event.

By sending materials to the advance warehouse ahead of the trade show, exhibitors can ensure timely delivery. You can also avoid high shipping costs and potential delays associated with shipping directly to the venue.

This allows for greater flexibility in scheduling shipments. In addition, it provides ample time for organizers to receive, inspect, and organize exhibit materials before the start of the event. 

Shipping to the Trade Show 

Shipping trade show materials directly to the event site is a convenient option for exhibitors who have tight timelines. Because this approach reduces the handling, there is less risk of lost or damaged items.

Additionally, shipping directly to the event site can simplify logistics. It eliminates the need for additional transportation or storage arrangements, saving both time and resources.

Additional Shipping Tips 

• ROI: Opt for the safer method rather than the cheaper method to secure a better overall ROI.
• Documentation: Keep all receipts and tracking numbers.
• Arranging a shipper: Provide your shipping company with your booth number, pickup day, and pickup time.
• Labeling: Be sure to label your packed items for more efficient unpacking.
• For more tips: Read our blog post, “How to Ship to a Trade Show.”

Frequently Asked Questions About WEFTEC 2024

How many people attend WEFTEC?

WEFTEC is the world’s largest annual water quality event. Companies come from across the globe, giving it a sizable annual attendance.

Wondering exactly how many people attend WEFTEC? The WEFTEC 2023 conference had over 21,000 registrants, 870 exhibiting companies, and over 550 Global Center delegates from 30+ countries.

Where is WEFTEC’s exhibitor list?

The WEFTEC exhibitor list can be found here.

Where is the WEFTEC floor plan?

The WEFTEC floor plan can be found here.

What are the best hotels for WEFTEC?

Convention Management Resources, Inc. manages WEFTEC hotel reservations. Registration for WEFTEC 2024 housing opens April 30th. 

Check out hotels within walking distance of the convention center:

• Hampton Inn & Suites Convention Center
• Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center
• Hyatt Place Convention Center
• Marriott Warehouse Arts District
• Sonesta ES Suites Convention Center
• Springhill Suites Warehouse Arts District

The following hotels offer shuttle services to and from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center:

• Hilton Riverside
• Embassy Suites New Orleans
• Omni Riverfront
• Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
• Westin New Orleans
• And more!

What are the WEFTEC show hours?

The WEFTEC 2024 exhibition will be held in New Orleans at the Ernst N. Morial Convention Center from October 7th to October 9th. WEFTEC show hours include:

• October 7th: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
• October 8th: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
• October 9th: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM

For more information about the WEFTEC 2024 schedule, click here. This schedule is subject to change.

Contact Cardinal for Help Exhibiting at WEFTEC

Successfully exhibiting at WEFTEC requires meticulous planning and strategic execution. By working with Cardinal Expo and implementing the tips in this guide, you can elevate your booth presence, engage effectively with attendees, and maximize your impact on the show floor.

From creating eye-catching booth designs to fostering meaningful connections through networking, your success depends on the steps you take before, during, and after the show. With careful preparation and proactive follow-up, exhibitors can make the most of their participation at WEFTEC.

Are you ready to leverage WEFTEC 2024 to showcase your innovations, forge partnerships, and drive business growth? Call us at 504-930-3545 or fill out the form below to get started today!